"We are in crisis and we need extra strength to keep up high levels of commitment and efficiency at work, said ARHOE president Ignacio Buqueras of the campaign.

ARHOE fights for a charge to Spain's unique lifestyle which sees Spaniards working, eating and going to bed far later than their European neighbours.

The group — which supports a healthy work–life balance — was set up in 2003 and boasts the support of several government ministries and a wide range of organizations across the country.

They are also fighting for Spain to take on Greenwich Mean Time, a move which would see it within the same time zone as neighbouring Portugal.

Quantity of sleep is very difficult to measure.

Figures from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2009 show Spaniards sleep an average of 514 minutes a day. Among Europeans, only the French sleep more: their total sleep clocks in at 530 minutes a day.